ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade deficit with the Middle East increased 10.11 per cent to $10.502 billion in the first nine months of FY25 from $9.538bn in the same period last year due to higher petroleum imports.

The growing trade deficit raises concerns among decision-makers, mainly due to the rising influx of petroleum products. Meanwhile, export growth to select countries in the region remains minimal, according to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan.

Petroleum consumption has risen in the current fiscal year because the crude oil import rose........

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